Responsive Lab Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Dr. Jeff McGee, a leadership and organizational culture strategist and creator of the Triple Loop Leadership framework. Dr. McGee has worked in nonprofits from frontline staff to executive leadership for over a decade and now coaches organizations nationwide on building healthy cultures and managing AI adoption.

You'll hear about:
* Why lack of honest communication creates quiet disengagement and an "us versus them" mentality between leadership and staff
* The key to retention: making staff feel valued, respected, and truly part of the mission they serve
* Three major challenges nonprofits face when introducing AI: ethics and privacy concerns, mixed readiness levels, and treating AI as threat versus efficiency tool
* How to frame AI as a relationship-building enabler rather than job replacement in the service-oriented nonprofit sector
* Using mentorship programs to bridge generational gaps when implementing new technology like AI
* Why effective AI adoption is really about strong change management that includes voices from every organizational level

Links from the episode:
* Connect with Dr. Jeff McGee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jeff-mcgee-38185468/
* Learn more about Cross-Cultural Dynamics: www.ccdynamics.org
* Get Dr. McGee's book "Reimagining Learning: The Power of Triple Loop Leadership": Order Here
* Email Dr. McGee: jmcgee@ccdynamics.org

Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Griff Bohm. As one of the founders of Momentum, an AI-powered donor engagement platform for mid-level & major gifts, Griff brings unique insights into how artificial intelligence can transform fundraising without losing the human connection that drives giving.

You'll hear about:
• Starting with problems instead of solutions when adopting AI tools
• Building major gift programs that leverage technology to create more donor time
• Understanding why major giving continues to grow as a percentage of overall fundraising
• Recognizing donor expectations for personalized, impact-focused communication
• Preparing teams for an AI-enhanced fundraising future
• Identifying practical AI applications that remove friction from daily work
• Creating systems that amplify relationship-building rather than replace it

Links:
Connect with Griff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbohm/
Learn more about Momentum: https://virtuous.org/momentum/

Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at https://virtuous.org/.

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Matt Lombardi, Founder of Share, to unpack what real digital engagement looks like when it’s done well and why it actually leads people to take action.

Matt brings a practitioner’s perspective from working alongside nonprofits of all sizes, sharing what separates organizations that grow sustainably from those stuck on the acquisition hamster wheel. From donor personas and retention strategies to recurring giving programs that actually work, you’ll walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately.

You’ll hear about:

Why focus matters more than doing “all the channels”

How smart digital engagement builds trust and drives generosity

Creative ways to strengthen donor retention without always asking for money

What recurring giving programs need to succeed long-term

How technology decisions today shape fundraising outcomes tomorrow

Matt also shares where nonprofits get stuck internally and how teams can build momentum even when bureaucracy, bandwidth, or fear of change slows things down.

Links from the episode:

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-lombardi-717547111/

Learn more about Share Talent: https://sharetalent.co/

Learn more about Share Services: https://www.shareservices.co/

Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist.

Dana Snyder of Positive Equation joins the Responsive Fundraising Podcast to discuss social media and digital strategy for nonprofits. During our conversation we covered the dance marathons that first sparked her interest in college, how to make your mission stand out in the busy online landscape, and how to connect more deeply with your supporters.

Dana Snyder is the founder and CEO of Positive Equation, a digital consultancy focused on helping nonprofits cultivate a passionate online following of donors, volunteers, and advocates.

Stacy LeBaron joins The Responsive Fundraising Podcast to talk about delivering animal welfare services during times of crisis and the power of pivoting.

Stacy has been involved in animal welfare for over 20 years. She is the host and founder of Community Cats Podcast, a 5 day a week podcast show where she interviews nationally and internationally renowned experts helping with the problem of cat overpopulation and cat welfare. In addition to the podcast, Stacy is committed to the model of virtual education by holding weekend conferences and day long educational sessions. Prior to the podcast,  Stacy served for 16 years as president of the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, and then directed the Mentoring Program at that organization.

 

Nonprofit technology veteran Kent Woodyard joins Noah Barnett to discuss nonprofit technology, what nonprofits can learn from Amazon, and how organizations can adopt a "Day One" mindset.

Brian Numainville, consultant, speaker, and author joins the Responsive Fundraising podcast to discuss his observations from 2020, where nonprofits might be missing opportunities, and his future outlook. Nonprofit Surveys: Your Nonprofit Needs to Ask Questions An accomplished consultant and the president of NUMINSIGHTS LLC, as well as a principal with Retail Feedback Group, Brian partners with organizations throughout the United States to design and execute a wide range of research and feedback programs, as well as advises on public relations and communications efforts. Brian is also the co-author of Feedback Rules!

Cameron Ripley joins the Responsive Fundraising podcast to discuss the latest trends in nonprofit marketing. During our conversation we discuss the lessons learned from hundreds of nonprofit marketing campaigns in 2020, the essentials of successful, digital-first fundraising plans, and what organizations must double down on as they plan their go-forward digital strategies.

Cameron is the CEO and Founder of Community Boost Consulting, a digital marketing agency that exists to empower social ventures changing the world. Trusted by the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Foundation, the Trevor Project, United Ways, Humane Societies and hundreds of other great causes from around the world, Community Boost has been committed to helping nonprofits drive more meaningful conversions online since 2012.

Additional resources:

• Nonprofit Marketing Summit
• Nonprofit marketing resources

Ray Taylor, Director of Advancement at Franciscan Media joins Noah Barnett to talk about his Six Sigma-style approach to nonprofit leadership, designing fundraising campaigns and building fundraising systems.

Franciscan Media is a sponsored ministry of the Franciscan friars of St. John the Baptist Province. They strive to inspire a loving world that embraces the Franciscan spirit of harmony, joy, and simplicity.

Ariel Glassman, purpose-driven fundraising consultant, joins Noah Barnett to talk about pivoting between traditional strategies to responsive fundraising, trends in events, and donor cultivation.

Ariel's expertise includes customizing fundraising strategy, tactical development planning, building systematic and intentional donor engagement programs, defining staffing needs and structuring development teams, building and refining infrastructure and tools, donor data analytics and donor surveys, and donor communications. She helps organizations build connective tissue between their fundraising strategy, technology and operations, staff capacity, and donor relationships.